Calls for early intervention to tackle youth offending

Damien Hernon, Director of Oberstown Children Detention Campus, emphasized the significance of early intervention in addressing youth offending. He highlighted that the majority of young individuals entering the facility are typically characterized by recreational drug use, absent parents, and non-school attendance. Addressing the issue during an interview on RTÉ s This Week, Mr. Hernon stressed the importance of detention being a last resort for the shortest possible duration.

He explained that early intervention could potentially reduce future youth offending rates. With a rise in serious offenses committed by young people over the past four to six years, ranging from sexually harmful behavior to manslaughter or murder, he pointed out the increased complexity of associated behaviors. To tackle this, Oberstown has implemented a placement planning process to monitor the behavior and progress of young individuals within the program.

The State's only child-detention facility is currently involved in a work-to-rule protest by its staff, concerning safe staffing levels, which Mr. Hernon urged to cease in order to progress matters that can be resolved.